Jan 12, 2009 11:24 pm US/Eastern
Worcester Puts Fire Trucks Through Brake Tests
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
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Every week while parked on a steep hill, all 21 of the city's fire truck's brake systems are put through a series of repetitive tests.
WBZ
After seeing the results ofÂ
last week's crash -- many people are wondering how often fire trucks are inspected. WBZ found out that there are no statewide standards. Every community is on its own. But in Worcester, fire fighters rarely have a problem with the brakes on their trucks. Why?
Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve found out in the City of Seven Hills, the brakes on every single truck are tested every single week.
When a Worcester fire truck leaves the station, the multi-ton vehicle will undoubtedly be going up and down hills. That is why 10 years ago, Worcester began a unique safety program of testing the brakes on all fire trucks.
We took a ride with the fire department's chief mechanic Jack Santimaw. He demonstrated the safety check on a steep hill not far from the city's main fire department.
"OK, we stop here, put the truck in neutral with the brake on…"
Every week while parked on a steep hill, all 21 of the city's fire truck's brake systems are put through a series of repetitive tests.
District Chief Mike McNamee oversees the brake inspections for the department. He says these inspections have prevented accidents.
"We have a certain number of failures every year and a failure is when the truck doesn't hold still and even if it creeps ever so slightly it is a failure. Our maintenance facility is notified and they correct it."
Chief Gerard Dio says other communities should follow Worcester's lead. "Yes ... it's a simple safety procedure that produces long term results."
Worcester firefighters drive the same kind of trucks as the one involved in the crash last Friday in Boston. They say if the brakes fail on their trucks, if there is no brake pressure, there is a back up brake system which should automatically kick in and stop the truck in its tracks.
It's not clear why that didn't happen in the Boston crash, but in Worcester they hope these preventative steps will keep them from every having to ask those types of questions.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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